The Los Angeles Unified School District will offer free and reduced-cost meals to thousands of students when classes begin on Aug. 20.

Many LAUSD students get a majority of their daily nutrition requirements from food provided at school campuses. Nearly 80% of the LAUSD student enrollment qualifies for meals that are free or are available at a reduced cost. Children who buy lunches also benefit because support from the federal and state government ensures meals are sold at a reasonable cost.

LAUSD policy is to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. At elementary schools, the full price of student breakfast is $2.25 and lunch is $3. Breakfast at middle schools is $2.50 and lunch is $3.25. The cost for breakfast at high schools is $2.75 and lunch is $3.50. Reduced price breakfasts are available for as little as 30 cents, and lunches for 40 cents.

No application is required for many students because LAUSD participates in direct certification. If a household currently receives CalFresh benefits or if a child receives California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids benefits or Medi-Cal Program benefits, they qualify for free or reduced priced meals.

For families who need to apply to determine eligibility, only one application is required for all students in a household. Household refers to groups of related or non-related individuals who are living as one economic unit and sharing living expenses such as rent, clothes, food, doctor bills and utility bills. Foster children may also automatically qualify for free meals.

For information and to apply for school meal programs, visit myschoolapps.com.